Summary
This randomised controlled trial in 102 Chinese adults with obesity examined whether calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (CaHMB)-enriched nutritional supplementation could preserve skeletal muscle mass during energy-restricted weight loss. The CaHMB group (3.0 g/day with 24 g protein) maintained skeletal muscle mass (+0.7 kg median) over 12 weeks, whilst the control group lost muscle mass (−0.6 kg median), with a between-group difference of 1.3 kg (p < 0.001). The findings suggest CaHMB supplementation may help attenuate muscle loss during dietary weight loss interventions.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in China with Chinese participants and uses bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition assessment. Whilst the findings on HMB's muscle-sparing effects during weight loss may be relevant to United Kingdom clinical practice and obesity management, the generalisability to UK populations and healthcare settings would benefit from confirmation in ethnically diverse cohorts. The supplement formulation and dietary energy restriction protocols may not directly reflect typical UK dietary or clinical practice.
Key measures
Skeletal muscle mass (multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis), visceral fat area, body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, physical function, metabolic biomarkers
Outcomes reported
The study measured changes in skeletal muscle mass, visceral fat area, body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, physical function and metabolic biomarkers in adults with obesity undergoing dietary energy restriction with or without CaHMB supplementation. Primary outcome was whole-body skeletal muscle mass change over 12 weeks.
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